Passengers hurt when Houston jet hits turbulence

The fire department initially reported that eight passengers were transported to area hospitals, but United later issued a statement that seven passengers asked for medical attention.

Their injuries were non-life-threatening, said emergency personnel who met the plane when it landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport shortly before 8 a.m. No information was immediately available on the types of injuries suffered.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with 145 passengers and six crew members on board, experienced turbulence over Lake Charles, La., Houston Airport System spokeswoman Darian Ward said.

United’s flight 1727 was the only flight in that general area to report severe turbulence, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford.

Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, said the agency was gathering information to determine if the incident would be investigated as an accident.

By statute, the agency defines an accident as either substantial damage to the aircraft or serious injury or fatality, he said.

“We understand there are some injuries, but we don’t know the extent of the injuries,” Knudson said. “If they are serious, it would automatically trigger an accident investigation.”